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“Still grumpy about that?”
“Just had me worried,” I mutter. Examining the depth of that concern is an invasive procedure I prefer to avoid by any means necessary. Somehow, this woman has become very important to me. My plan is to storm onward until it blows up in my face.
Grace’s fingers dance across my forearm to rip me from that impending destruction. “How can I make it up to you?”
That sultry rasp almost has me swerving into the opposite lane. “Road head would be nice.”
She swats at me and flops back into her seat. “You’re such a man.”
“Not sure how else you expected me to respond to an open offer like that.” I pull into the grassy lot, finding a middle row with open spots. “You’re off the hook, though. We’ve arrived.”
She stares at a banner posted near the main entrance. “Wild West Days?”
A sense of pride burns through me as I shift the truck into park. I didn’t anticipate that she’d be unfamiliar with my choice, or how I’d react to surprising her. “It’s a county fair for these parts. A local staple for the holiday.”
“I’m surprised Knox Creek doesn’t host one for the occasion.”
“They beat us to it. We didn’t want to rain on their parade.” I glance at the clock. “Which we missed, unfortunately.”
Grace pops her door open. “Eh, we’ll catch the next one.”
I meet her at the front of the truck. “That’s the spirit.”
Her zippy pace resembles a pony prancing toward a bucket of apples. “I haven’t been to a festival since Swing into Spring.”
“Ah, that’s where the magic started for us.” My brows wag to what I imagine is an irresistible beat.
She slips on a pair of sunglasses, but not before shooting me a glare. “If you’re referring to you shamelessly trying to get me in bed, then yes.”
“And you let me down not so gently.” I clutch at the area above my heart.
“It didn’t hurt your ego.” She bumps into me with her hip.
I take our proximity as an opportunity to loop an arm around her waist. “Your friendship has softened the blow.”
Grace slows her rushed gait to peer up at me. Her eyes are hidden, but there’s no mistaking the flush on her cheeks. “I’m glad we reached a compromise. And hey, you’re committed to me on some level. Your words, not mine.”
My pulse kicks at the term. It would be simple to reject the claim, but I find myself leaning toward the opposite. “I realized this arrangement is in our best interest. We can do all the cool shit together and not worry about getting more involved. It’s like we’re dating, only platonically. No emotional complications.”
“Uh-huh, right.” She pulls away, leaving me to question if I fucked up. “So, Wild West Days. It’s bigger than I’d expect.”
There’s a part of me that’s wary about her dismissal, but I let it go. I glance at the crowded grounds as if seeing the expansive spread for the first time. Red, white, and blue decorations are displayed far and wide. “We used to come here every year growing up. One of our regular traditions.”
“Why’d you stop?”
“Adulting sucks,” I offer in explanation. “Owning a bar is fucking awesome, but it doesn’t allow for much wiggle room in my schedule.”
She kicks at a patch of grass. “You seem to escape often enough.”
“With proper motivation.” I wrap a stray whisp of her hair around my finger and tug.
“There you go again,” she sighs.
“What?”
A noncommittal noise hums from her. “If you’re not careful, you could give a girl false hope.”
The concern I stifled earlier rebounds with unavoidable force. My pulse hammers as we stride forward onto solid ground that suddenly feels unstable. A sideways glance reveals Grace to appear calm and composed and very much in her element. Her chin is tipped skyward, allowing the sun to soak in after too many days locked indoors. A smile curls the edges of her pouty lips. But there’s something simmering just beneath the surface.
